Six city schools locked down for police activity: Six Northeast Baltimore schools were on lockdown for about 30 minutes past dismissal because of police activity in the area Wednesday afternoon. Police officials said they notified the city school system of increased police activity due to intelligence of a fight not involving school students or a school.

4.5-mile conveyor would carry stone to Carroll cement plant: Lehigh Cement Co. knows that the project will be extremely costly, but says such a system is the best way to keep the plant running without severe disruption to life in the town of about 1,100 and neighboring New Windsor. But there are critics, too.

April drought threatens 'May flowers' in Md.: A developing drought across the eastern half of Maryland could worsen without a few periods of soaking rain, and drizzle like that seen Wednesday won't be enough to cut the rainfall deficit.

Md. National Guard headed to U.S.-Mexico border: The six-month deployment comes as the presidential candidates debate what to do about illegal immigration and Marylanders prepare to vote this fall on a controversial college tuition break for undocumented immigrants.

Man fatally shot in bar packed with 80 patrons: Derrick Deon Smith was the seventh person killed in Baltimore by gunfire since Friday night -- the deadliest stretch this year. The city's homicide count now stands at 55, one more than at this time last year.